Philip Rivers retires from NFL, ending 17-year career Posted Jan 20, 2021 Philip Rivers is retiring from football, ending his 17-year career as one of the most prolific quarterbacks in the NFL. Rivers, who spent this past season with the Indianapolis Colts after 16 years with the Chargers, told ESPN's Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen in a statement Wednesday that playing quarterback in the NFL was his "childhood dream." (ESPN.com)